Combination hinge member and warpage compensator for hinged panels



Nov. 30,1943; .1-: WHITEHEAD Filed Nov. 27, 1939 COMBINATION HINGE MEMBER AND WARPAGE COMPENSATOR FOR HINGED PANELS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Z9 ,3 4A M 3 35 (3. F. WHITEHEAD COMBINATION HINGE MEMBER AND WARPAGE COMPENSATOR FOR HINGED PANELS Nov. 30, 1943,

Filed NOV. 27, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 I Nov. 30, 1943. G. F. WHITEQEAD 1 2,335,323

COMBINATION HINGE MEMBER AND WARPAGE-COMPENSATOR FOR HINGED PANELS 'Filed Nov. 27, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet :5

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Patented Nov. 30, 1943 COIHBINATION HINGE MEMBER AND WARP- AGE COIWPENSA'IOR FOR HIN GED PANELS Grover Whitehead, Rockford, Ili., assignor to Geo. D. Roper Corporation,

corporation of Illinois Application November 27, 1939, Serial No. 306,334 16 Claims. '(Ci. 20-38) parallel end portions of which extend a distance This invention relates to a method of and means for eliminating the distortion in warped objects such as sheet metal door and lid panels for cooking ranges, and is more particularly concerned with a warpage compensator incorporated in a hinge member adapted to be.;mounted on such panels.

In the manufacture of door and lid panels for ranges and other sheet metal cabinets, a serious problem is presented by the tendency for these sheet metal panels to warp to a twisted form so that doors don't close properly and lids dont' lie fiat and as a result the range or other cabinet presents a cheap and unsightly appearance. The procedure followed heretofore consisted merely in efiorts toward minimizing warpage by keeping the panels absolutely rigid in the desired shape during the heating operation incidental to enamelling, but besides being awkward and expensive this method has been unsatisfactory for the reason that it is not possible to control th panel properly during the-whole process and consequently some warpage still occurs. 7

It is therefore the principal object of my invention to provide a novel method 01 and means for eliminating distortion in panels and .the like, which makes it unnecessary to take any special precautions in the enamelling process and results in a saving in cost while also assuring uniformly straight panels.

Another object is to provide means 01 the kind mentioned incorporating screw adjustments for forcing warped panels into the desired shape and retaining them in that shape, the screws being easily adjustable to just the right degree and to obtain an adjustment in either direction as a given panel may require.

Another important object consists in the embodiment of the warp adjustment screws and stress transmitting members operable thereby as small and inconspicuous portions of the hinge tion of the hinged end of Rockford, 11]., a

along those panel edges that extend from the ends of the first-mentioned edge, screw adjust.- ment means being provided for twisting the 0pposite ends of the transverse portion relative to one another so as to adjust the parallel end portions to the desired angularity relative to one another and accordingly in the panel by the equal and opposite twist of the warp compensator assembly, so as to straighten the panel.

In the drawings which form a part of this specification- Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a range showing a cooking top cover or lid incorporating my invention, the lid being shown raisedj Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, but showing the lid closed, and indicating in dotted lines an assumed position of the lid prior to the adjustment of the warp compensator which straightens it to the full line position;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevathe lid shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a rear elevation of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional detail taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 32

members used for hingedly mounting the panels cabinet structure on which Figs. 7, 8, and 9 are enlarged vertical sectional details taken on the lines 11, 8-8, and 9-9 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a range showing another cooking top cover or lid incorporating a modified form of my invention-the lid that is shown closed having a dotted line position showing an assumed position prior to the adjustment of the warp compensator;

Fig. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation oi the hinged Fig. 10, with a section of the inner lid broken away to show the hinge the built-in warp eliminator;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan view of a portion 01' Fig. 11 taken on the line l2l2;

Figs. 13 and 14 are enlarged vertical sectional details taken on the lines Iii-I3 and ld-H of Fig. 11;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 11, showing still another cooking top lid incorporating another embodiment of my invention, a section of the inner panel being broken away to disclose the warp compensator;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged horizontal tail taken on line ll-IO of Fig. 15:

panel of the member with sectional deoifset the inherent twist end of the left-hand lid 0:

Fig. 17 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken on the line of Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is another view similar to Figs. 11 and 15, showing still another cooking top lid incorporating another embodiment of my invention, a section of the inner panel being broken away to disclose the warp compensator;

Fig. 19 is a plan view of a portion of Fig. 18 taken on the line |9-|3, and

Fig. 20 is an enlarged vertical sectional detail taken on the line 20-20 of Fig. 18.

The same reference numerals are applied to corresponding parts in all related views.

In panel constructions of the general type illustrated in Fig. 1, that is, those intended for doors and lids for kitchen ranges and the like, it has previously been proposed to supply a substantially U-shaped frame member on each such hinged panel, extending the full width thereof. to serve not only as a reenforcement but also as a hinge member, for hingedly mounting the same. The U-member is normally so disposed that the web or transverse portion extends along the hinged edge of the panel and so that the parallel end portions extend along at least a portion of those edges of the panel extending from the ends of the first-mentioned edge. Such a construction is disclosed in the copending application of Stanley H. Hobson, Serial No. 256,655, filed February 16, 1939. I prefer to incorporate the warp compensator of my invention in a similar U-member.

Viewing specifically Figs. 1-9, inclusive, the lid 2| is shown as of a single panel construction having peripheral flanges 22 which serve to add ri idity to the structure. This panel preferably has rubber bumper pads 2| at the front corners to engage the cooking top when the lid is closed. Single panel lids of this type are frequently employed in stoves of less expensive construction. The U-shaped hinge member 23 with which my invention is especially concerned is secured in the panel partly by means of two small screws 24 entered through the rear flange 22 into holes in the transverse web portion 25 of the U-member, and partly by the engagement of the end portions 28 of the U-member 23 under small tabs 21 which are formed integral with the side flanges 22. A middle portion of the rear flange 22 is cut away as indicated at 28 and the U-member has an elongated knuckle portion 29 projecting through this opening. Pintles 30 extending through a pair of knuckles3| provided on a hinge member 32 fastened as at 33 to the cooking top 34, serve to pivotally attach the lid to the range and are received in holes 35 drilled into opposite ends of the knuckle 29. The holes 35 are counterbored as at 36to receive the coiled torsion springs 31 which fit on the pintles 30, as shown, and have one end 38 fixed by engagement with the hinge member 32 and the other end 39 rotatable with the lid by engagement in a longitudinal slot 40 in the end of the knuckle 29 communicating with the bottom of the counterbore 36. The two springs 31 at opposite ends of knuckle 29 tend normally to urge the lid upwardly and hence hold the lid against accidentally dropping The lids movement in raising is limited by the engagement of lips 4| on the opposite ends of the knuckle 29 with the back edge 42 of the hinge member 32, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9, whereby to hold the lid in a substantially vertical position and prevent contact with the upright back rail 43 of the range.

while I have spoken of the U-member 23 as a when in raised position.

aasasea hinge member its functions in accordance with the present invention are not limited to those of a hinge. The U-member 23 has two sets of slots cut therein near the opposite ends of the knuckle 29 so as to make the left and right hand end portions 44 and 45, respectively, more or less free to be flexed in relation to the middle portion 56, each set of slots consisting of two parallel slots 41 and 48, one from the front and the other from the rear, both reaching only partway up from the bottom edge so that a connecting bridge portion 49 is left thereabove. what assumes the brunt of the twisting stress, as will soon appear. There is another slot 50 in transverse relation to and between the slots 41 and 43 cored through the knuckle in a diametrical plane upwardly from the bottom of the knuckle to the tops of the slots 4'! and 48 ending below the connecting bridge portion 49, as appears in Figs. 3, 4 and 9, so that the screw 5| entered in a tapped hole 52 provided in the knuckle 29 below the slot 50 and working between the slots 41 and 48 to set up a torsional stress in portion 49, will be free to function when tightened to twist the portion 44, or 45, as the case may be, with relation to the middle portion 45 about the longitudinal axis of the knuckle 29 to correct a given warpage in the panel, the knuckle 29 being free to twist in the portion 49 to the extent necessary, without fracture, even though ordinary castings are used. Thus, in the event the left-hand edge of the lid 2| is too low and consequently prevents the righthand edge from coming into contact with the top of the range when the lid is lowered, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, that may be remedied by tightening the left-hand screw 5|. The effect of this operation is to force inward or downward the end portion 44 of the hinge member 23 so that the left arm 26 of the U-member 23 becomes angularly offset relative to the right arm 26, enough to straighten the panel and make it lie flat, assuming the screw 5| is adjusted far enough. Obviously, if the right side of the lid is too low, compensating adjustment is made with the righthand screw 5|. Not infrequently after one of the screws 5| has been tightened to effect a compensation it is found that that side is now too high; in that event, adjustment may often be secured by backing up the same screw somewhat inasmuch as there is sumcient spring present in the strained or twisted section of the member 23 to return it substantially to its original posiof the other screw 5| will in the member 23 so as to wise, slight tightening give an offsetting twist straighten the lid. v

I have described in detail the structure shown in Figs. l-9. However, the desired results may be efiected by various related but different constructions, as shown in Figs. 10-20.

The modification illustrated in Figs. 10-14 is shown incorporated in a cooking top lid 2 Ia. comprising an outer panel 53 and an inner panel 54. The U-shaped member 23a is anchored to the inner panel 54 by means of the bolts 55, the outer panel 53 being fastened to the inner panel in any suitable way, as by screws 56. In this instance the compensating twist occurs largely in the middle section 51 of the web 25a of the U-shaped member 23a. The twisting force is applied by screws 5m threaded into the ends of an inner relatively large middle flange 58 formed on the web 25a. The screws l5 bear against the adjacent ends of other end flanges 59 and 6D. The web 25a is ribbed longitudinally and transversely This portion 49 is r as indicated at 6| for reinforcement of flange portion 58 so as to avoid appreciable deflection thereof in adjustments of screws la. The flanges 59 and 60 are certain to cause twisting of the web 25a in regions 62 because of the slots 63 in the web 25a separating the ends of the middle flange 58 from the adjacent ends of flanges 59 and 60. The arms 26a of U-member 23a accordingly may be twisted to the desired angularity relative to one another similarly as in the construction previously described, whereby to correct for warpage of the panels 53 and 54, which may cause the lid 2: to be twisted, as indicated in dotted lines on the right-hand portion of Fig. 10. Openings 64 are provided in the inner panel 54 to enable adjustment of the screws 5 la in the assembled lid. The hinges 65 with counterbalancing spring mechanisms 66 correspond closely to what is disclosed in the Hobson application mentioned above.

In the further modified form shown in Figs. -17'the lid 2!!) has a U-shaped hinge member 23b made of two substantially L-shaped members 61 and 68 which overlap at Bid-Sac, at approximately the mid-section of the U. In the assembled lid these L-shaped members 81 and 68 are anchored to the inner panel 5d by means of the screws 55. On the L-shaped member 68 are the coaxial bearings 69 and ill and on the L-shaped member 61 are the coaxial bearings H and E2. The two L-shaped members 61 and B8 are assembled together with a pintle 13 extending through all of the bearings 69-12. A screw 14 passes freely' through a hole 15 in the end 680 of member 68 and threads in hole 16 in the end 61a of member 67. Another screw ll threaded in a hole 18 in the end 68a of member 88 is arranged to bear against the adjacent end 61a of member 61. Openings 79 in panel 5d permit adjustment of the screws N and H7. Distortion in the lid is rectified by causing the screws M and F1 to rotate the L members 61 and 68 about the pintle 13 in opposite directions until they reach points where the distortion in the lid is eliminated. The adjustment of screw it determines the angle between the arms 26b obtained when the screw H is tightened; the angle may be increased by loosening screw M and then tightening screw H, or it may be reduced first by loosening screw 11, then tightening screw 14 a turn or so and then retightening screw Tl.

In the further modified form of my invention shown in Figs. 18, 19 and 20, the lid 2Ic employs a U-shaped hinge member 230 comprised of two L-shaped members 80 and Bi, and here again the ends 80a and8la overlap. A V-shaped fulcrum 82 is provided on the end aid and a V-shaped recess 83 capable of receiving said in]- crum is provided on the end 80a. Preferably, that face of the end 80a which has the recess 83 is beveled away from the recessed middle portion in both directions as at 84. Such construction permits a wider range of adjustment for a given height fulcrum projection 82. Screws 85 passing through holes 86, one on each side of the recess 83 in the end 80a, thread in holes 81 in the end Bla on each side of the fulcrum 82. A ridge 88 on the rear face of the end Bla serves to space the same from the outer panel 53 permitting protrusion of the ends of the screws 85. Warp in the lid is corrected by proper adjustment of the screws 85.

It is believed the foregoing description conveys a gsod understanding of the objects and advantages of my invention. The appended claims have been drawn with a view to covering all legitimate modifications and adaptations.

I claim:

1. In a hinge structure, a single elongated hinge member adapted to be applied to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, and a plurality of other hinge members pivotally connected at longitudinally spaced points with the first mentioned hinge member in substantially coaxial relationship to one another, and means for subjecting the first mentioned hinge member to a twisting action substantially about its longitudinal axis so as to ofiset the ends to a desired angularity with respect to one another. i

2. In a hinge structure, a single elongated U-shaped hinge member adapted to be applied to the hingingedge of an element that isto be hingedly mounted, and a plurality of other hinge members pivotally connected at longitudinally spaced points with the transverse portion of the first mentioned hinge member in substantially coaxial relationship to one another, and means for subjecting the transverse portion of the first mentioned hinge member to a twisting action substantially about its longitudinal axis so as to offset the ends to a desired angularity with re- 'spect to one another.

3. In a hinge structure, the combination of a pair of elongated hinge members adapted to be attached in endwise alignment ,to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, other hinge members pivotally connected to the first mentioned hinge members in substantially coaxial relation to one another, means pivotally connecting said first mentioned hinge members for relative rotary displacement thereof about their longitudinal axes, and means for fixedly angularly displacing said first mentioned hinge members about said pivot means.

4. In a hinge structure, the combination of a pair of L-shaped hinge members adapted to be attached to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, said members being disposed with their transverse portions in endwise alignment to define a U, other hinge members pivotally connected to said portions in coaxial relationship, means pivotally connecting said portions for relative rotary displacement thereof about their longitudinal axes, and means for fixedly angularly displacing said first mentioned hinge members about said pivot means.

5. In a hinge structure, the combination oi a pair of elongated hinge members adapted to be attached in endwise alignment to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, other hinge members pivotally connected to the first mentioned hinge members in substantially coaxial relation to one another, the ends of said first mentioned hinge members being. in overlapping relation, means for tiltably supporting one of said ends on the other for tilting adjustment of said hinge members about their longitudinal axes, and means for adjustably securing said ends in a desired tilted relationship.

6. In a hinge structure, the combination of a pair of L-shaped'hinge members adapted to be attached to the hinging edge of an elementthat is to be hingedly mounted, said members being disposed with their transverse portions in endwise alignment to define a U, other hinge members pivotally connected to said portions in coaxial relationship, the ends of said first mentioned hinge members being in overlapping relation, means for tiltably supporting one of said ends on the other for tilting adjustment of said hinge members about their longitudinal axes, and means for adjustably securing said ends in a desired tilted relationship.

7. An adjustable hinge structure comprising a single elongated hingemember adapted to be applied to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, and a plurality of other hinge elements pivotally connected thereto at longitudinally spaced points in substantially coaxial relation to one another, saidfirst mentioned hinge member being split part way through from one edge thereof in longitudinally spaced relation to both ends so as to provide overlapping relatively flexible portions extending longitudinally with respect to said hinge member, and adjustable screw threaded means on each of said split portions either of which when adjusted being arranged to cause a torsional adjustment of the related end portion of said hinge member.

8. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 7, wherein said first mentioned hinge member is generally U-shaped and provides substantially parallel arms both extending in the same direction from the end portions of said hinge member, said arms being elongated so that a given torsional adjustment of either end portion of the hinge member results in a multiplied adjustment of the free end of the related arm substantially as and for the purpose described.

9. In an adjustable hinge structure, the combination of a pair of elongated hinge members adapted to be applied in endwise alignment to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, other hinge members pivotally connected to the first mentioned hinge members in substantially coaxial relation to one another, the end portions of said elongated hinge members extending in overlapping spaced substantially parallel relation, an elongated pintle disposed in substantially parallel relation to said hinge members adjacent the overlapping end portions and received in coaxially aligned bearings provided therefor on said end portions, and adjustabl screw threaded means interconnecting said overlapping end portions in ra spaced relation with respect to the pintle so as to permit pivotally adjusting said first mentioned hinge members with respect to one another.

10. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 9, wherein the first mentioned hinge members are both substantially L-shaped so that when. assembled in the relationship described they form a U, the arms of which both extend in the same direction with respect to the pivotally connected portions of said hinge members, said arms being elongated whereby a given pivotal adjustment of said hinge members by the screw threaded means results in a multiplied adjustment of the outer ends of said arms substantially as and for the purpose described.

11. In an adjustable hinge structure, the combination of a pair of elongated hinge members adapted to be applied in endwise alignment to the hinging edge of an element that is to be hingedly mounted, other hinge members pivotally connected to the first mentioned hinge members in substantially coaxial relation to one another, the end portions of said elongated hinge members extending in overlapping spaced substantially parallel relation, a tending fulcrum projection on one of said end portions engaging a longitudinally extending fulcrum recess provided in the other end portion whereby said first mentioned hinge members are longitudinally extiltably adjustable with respect to one another, and adjustable screw threaded means interconnecting said end portions in spaced relation on opposite sides of said fulcrum and arranged when adjusted to change the angular relationship of said end portions relative to one another and accordingly change the angular relationship of said first mentioned hinge members relative to one another.

2. A hinge structure as set forth in claim 11, wherein the first mentioned hinge members are both substantially L-shaped so that when assembled in the relationship described they form a U, the arms of which both extend in the same direction with respect to the tiltably engaging portions of said hinge members, said arms being elongated whereby a given pivotal adjustment of said hinge members by the screw threaded means results in a multiplied adjustment of the outer ends of said arms substantially as and for the purpose described.

' portion of the panel and pivotally connected to the aforesaid hinge members through openings provided therefor in the hinging edge portion of the panel, said hinge means comprising portions relatively adjustable with respect to one another about an axis extending longitudinally of the hinging edge portion of the panel, and adjustable screw threaded means for efiecting such adjustment, said screw threaded means being accessible through an opening provided in one of said panel members.

14. In combination, a hollow sheet metal panel comprising inner and outer panel members suitably secured together, and warp compensating means between and in rigid relation thereto the panel members comprising screw threaded means for operating the same, operative from the outside of the panel through an opening provided in one of said panel members to counteract and substantially neutralize twisting distortion in said panel due to warpage of either one or bothof said panel members whereby to straighten the panel. r 1

15. In a counterbalanced hinge structure the combination of an elongated attaching plate having thereon longitudinally spaced knuckle projections, an elongated hinge member having an elongated knuckle portion disposed between said projections, pintles projecting through coaxially aligned holes provided in said knuckle projections and received in coaxially aligned holes provided in the opposite ends of said elongated knuckle portion, and at least one coiled torsion spring encircling one of said pintles and housed in an enlarged counterbore provided in one of said last named pintle receiving holes in the elongated knuckle portion, said spring having outwardly projecting ends one of which is outside the elongated knuckle portion and engages one longitudinal edge of the attaching plate and the other of which is at the inner end of the counterbore and engages a recess provided therefor therein, said elongated knuckle portion also having a projection arranged to engage the other longitudinal edge of the attaching plate when the elongated hinge member reaches a limit position with respect to the attaching plate.

16. The method of straightening a hollow sheet metal panel made up of two spaced flexible panel members, enameled on at least the outer sur faces thereof and subjected to slight twisting distortion as a result of heat treatment during enameling, which method consists in suitably interconnecting said panel members in assembled relationship to form a unitary hollow panel, the

I twisting distortion of each panel member contrlbuting toward a resultant twisting distortion oi the hollow panel, placing between the panel members prior to their interconnection an undistorted frame member in rigid relationship to the panel members but accessible from the outside thereof for adjustment to distorted condition, and finally giving said frame member a counteracting distortion in a direction and to a degree sufiicient to straighten the panel.

GROVER F. WHITEHEAD 

